NOVEMBER

My parents keep saying that time seems to speed up the older you get, and I have to agree.  I don't know what happened to November or December.  They have both been delightful months, but have gone way to fast. 

David's parents came out to visit at the beginning of the month and we had a good weekend with them.  The girls got the Barbie Christmas 'Carold' (as Abby calls it) and that seems to be all they talk about besides Barbie Diamond castle everything.

My parents then came out a few days later and we also had a good time.  They stayed here a few nights and then we headed to Nate and Melinda's house b/c my parents hadn't seen their new house yet.  We also had a good time there and it was fun time to visit b/c all the holiday stresses hadn't started yet, but it was close enough to feel like we had family for the holidays!

So, thanks to both sides for visiting!

           

         Melinda and I also managed to find time (around 2:00am) to make a few more bows.

                               Throwing... or at least attempting to throw rocks in the water.

                                                   Monkeying around on the jungle gym.

My parents got to celebrate their 33rd Anniversary with us!  Lucky them.  I think we had Pappa John's pizza and sprite that night! :)

LIFE

OKAY, OKAY ENOUGH NOW!  I know everyone thinks I've been slacking with my blog, but life has been crazy around here.  We have had a lot of fun, but a busy summer/fall with lots of trips, babysitting, helping my brother move, babysitting, several weddings, home projects, a primary program, ward/primary fall festival, babysitting, blackout assistance for friends, way more PTA assignments than imagined, soccer, ballet x two, gymnastics x two, 1st grade homework :), cute bows to make, a crazy busy husband, a street party to plan, more babysitting, costumes to make, family pictures, visitors, preschool assignments and volunteer work, way too much yard work, a garden, primary teacher inservice, neighbors homes to help paint/decorate, extra kids to pick up for carpool, and of course all the daily stuff in between.  Oh, and did I mention babysitting?  So, if you have been wondering why I have been MIA...there you go.  And David says I try to do too much...what does he know! ;) However, life is slowing down, Christmas shopping is almost over and I am feeling much more calm.  So...here is the update, if you really want to catch up, you'll have to scroll through a few pages.

Tribute to the Flamms

We are so sad that our dear friends the Flamms are moving back out west.  We are sure going to miss them!  But we are glad they have lots of Idaho ties too... so Jacob and Krista, don't think you can get rid of us that easily!  My girls are really going to miss little Kaylie.  She is such a doll with big eyes and adorable hair, which of course Mom gets all the credit for (the hair part I mean.)   I can usually bribe my girls into letting me fix their hair cute if I say, "Do you want Kaylie hair?"  

We wish your family the best of luck with Jacob's job, housing etc...  And sorry Justin, I guess you're back to having to endure the Simpsons! :)

Aahhh the CaNdY!!!!

Jeana wanted to be Snow White this year and I thought it was a great opportunity to not have to buy or make costumes this year.  So, I tried to talk Abby into several other costumes, but she wouldn't budge.  I don't know what made her want to be a Bee, but she was determined.  So, because I was not willing to pay $70 to order one online, I caved and spent several nights on it.  I asked her why she wanted to be a Bee and she replied, "So I can sting people." Yeah, she has her Dad's personality! j/k  Anyhow, in the end she was quite tickled and we had two pretty cute trick-or-treaters!

FALL...My favorite time of year...(minus the cold weather!)

My question is...what happened to fall this year?  Did anyone else feel like time has just flown by?  We have managed to squeeze in some fun activities like a pumpkin patch and a fun trip to a local farm that we go to every year.  It is one of our few yearly traditions.  My girls were pretty scared of all the ghosts and goblins in the pictures in case you couldn't tell! :)

Jarom...thanks for coming to visit the family.  It was fun to have you out here and nice to hear what you've been up to.  Good luck with school etc...and I hope your new bling that you got for your Birthday will really attract all those pretty women you've been chasing, one flash of that, and you'll have it made...as long as you don't wear the mask!

BIRTHDAY BASH

David actually got three parties this year for his birthday.  The first one was at Nate and Melinda's house b/c Jarom came out to visit and since he was also turning 30 and kind of gets a little short handed with his birthday being so close to Christmas, we threw David, Jarom and Nathan a surprise party.  Then, we also went to dinner with the Stevens and the Flamms and had an ice cream cake with them (mostly b/c David hates when I tell other people about his birthday...hee hee!) And then of course, the girls were excited to make a cake for him on his real birthday...all this to say, he should feel pretty loved despite the fact that he is now SOOOOO old!